A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of…

Secondly, The report made to the Church by the Elders is to be, (1.) Of the crime, guilt, or offence (2.) Of the Testimony given unto the truth of it (3.) Of the means used to bring the offender to acknowledgement and repentance (4.) Of his deportment under the private previous admonitions either as to his rejecting of them, or as to any satisfaction tendered; all in order, love, meekness, and tenderness.

Secondly, The report made to the Church by the Elders is to be, (1.) Of the crime, guilt, or offence (2.) Of the Testimony given unto the truth of it (3.) Of the means used to bring the offender to acknowledgement and repentance (4.) Of his deportment under the private previous admonitions either as to his rejecting of them, or as to any satisfaction tendred; all in order, love, meekness, and tenderness.

Thirdly, Things being proposed unto the Church, and the offender heard upon the whole of the offence, and former ⟨p. 202⟩proceeding, the whole Church, or multitude of the Brethren, are with the Elders to consider the nature of the offence, with the condition and temptations of the offenders, with such a spirit of meekness as our Lord Jesus Christ in his own person set them an example of, in his dealing with sinners, and which is required in them as his Disciples, Gal. 6.1, 2. 2 Cor. 2.8.

Fourthly, The Elders and Brethren are to judge of the offence, and the carriage of the offender according to rule, and if the offence be evident, and persisted in, then